New Approach in Modifying Quenching Processes Based on Possibility of Controlling Steel’s Surface Temperature by Insulating Layer

Abstract

In the paper is shown a possibility to govern surface temperature of steel parts during quenching by controlling the thickness of the insulating layer. That results in developing the new quenching technologies like austempering process via cold liquids. The investigations were performed with a low concentration of the polyoxyethylene in cold water using 20 mm cylindrical probe instrumented with two thermocouples. It is established that with the increase concentration of polyoxyethylene in cold water (beginning from 0.001 %) different heat transfer modes are observed resulting in the elimination of film boiling process at 0.001 % concentration, increasing surface temperature of probe during self-regulated thermal process, periodical changing of heat flux densities, slow cooling of surface temperature like in oil when concentration reaches 1 % polyoxyethylene in water, and so on. It is underlined that low concentration of polyoxyethylene in water can serve as an excellent quenchant for accelerated and uniform cooling of steel parts decreasing by this way the cost of a coolant. In this case accelerated cooling should be interrupted at proper time to provide optimal hardened layer afterr quenching. Such approach guarantees increasing service life of steel parts after accelerated cooling with the significant decrease of their cost and eliminates carburization process, The technology can be used for hardening large steel parts like large wind mill gears, large bearing rings, etc.